Description: A very small dextral, mid-brown shell of sub-globular shape. Aperture with 4-7 relatively prominent denticles: 1 parietal; usually 2 columellar; usually 2 palatal. Shell surface dull to slightly glossy with very fine sculpture, almost shagreened, silky. Viewed from the side the aperture has a pale crest running between the denticles. Widespread. 1.8-2.2 mm.

World Distribution: Found across Europe and across Eurasia and into North America. Distribution type: Circumpolar Wide-temperate (66).

Irish Distribution: Widespread in the south and in the central Plain but increasingly localised and coastal northwards and westwards.

Ecology:

• Widespread in damp pastures and the margins of wetlands at low altitude, often in company with V. antivertigo and V. substriata
• Fairly tolerant of low pH but declining northwards and westwards
• In the north and west mostly in coastal habitats like dune grassland

Key Identification Features:

• A very small, dextral, mid-brown shell
• Less tumid and more parallel-sided than other species
• Lip thickened, somewhat reflected, with a white, thickened crest behind the lip (visible through the side of the shell)
• There are 4-7 fairly prominent teeth: 1 parietal; usually 2 columellar; usually 2 palatal
• Shell surface dull to slightly glossy, almost shagreened, silky

Red list status:

• Near threatened (nt).

Distribution Map from NBN: Vertigo pygmaea at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Vertigo pygmaea at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Vertigo pygmaea | Classification: Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Vertiginidae, Vertigo

Thumbnails for genus Vertigo